UNIONDALE, N.Y.- Four runs in the bottom of the eighth by the University of Bridgeport completed the 6-5 come from behind win and ended Golden Lions’ run in the East Coast Conference Championship Tournament. Dowling moves to 27-15 on the season as the Purple Knights advance to play later this afternoon.
The Purple Knights were first on the board after two scoreless innings when they put up two runs in the bottom of the third. A sac flies from John Ascenzia and Tim Bickford brought home Tyler Gamberdella and Casey Ouellette for the 2-0 lead.
The Golden Lions answered with three runs in the top half of the fourth. Junior
Vinny Orlando worked a walk to start the inning and a double by junior
Michael Richter put runners on second and third with no outs. Senior Dan Parisi came up with a 2 RBI single up the middle and then came in to score on a bunt single by
RJ Going.
Bats were quiet on both sides for the next two innings until Dowling plated two runs in the top of the seventh. Going singled through the left side and was followed by a walk to
Tyler Hardison putting two runners on to start the inning. After sacrifice bunt by
Anthony Ferrante and a walk to
Adam Schuster the bases were loaded where a balk by PJ Martino forced home Going for a 4-2 lead. Orlando dropped down a squeeze to bring home Hardison pushing the score to 5-2.
The Purple Knights came back with four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning stringing together four hits and taking advantage of a couple Dowling defensive miscues.
Parisi finished 3 for 4 with 2 RBI to lead the Golden Lions at the plate.
John Cruz, Going and
Michael Richter all recorded a hit.